Industrial truck



C. E. COCHRAN AND M. S. TOWSON.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

'A APPLICATION FILAED APR. 3, 1919. I v 1,369,165. v Patented Feb. 22,1921.

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C. E. COCHRAN AND M. S. TOWSON.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

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C.'E. COCHRAN AND IVI. S. TOWSON.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921;

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4 APPLICATION FILED APH. 3,19I9- I v 1 ,369,165. Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

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INDUSTRIAL TRUCK. I APPLICATION FILED APR. s, 1919. 1,369,165. Pamalveb. 22,1921,

UNITED sTAT Es PATENT OFFICE.

CLYDE E. COCHRAN AND MORRIS S. TOWSON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELWELL-PARXER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 3, 1919. Serial No. 287,185.

To all whom. z't may concern: e.

Be it known that we, CLYDE E. COCHRAN and MORRIS S. TowsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county-ot` Cuyahogaand State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Industrial Trucks, of'which the following is a full, clear, and exact description', reference being had to the accompanylng drawings.

This invention relates to an automobile truck provided with mechanism for grasping a load and moving it into transportab e position and after transportation depositing it. The general object of the inventlon Vis to provide simple and eiiicient power mechanism for raising the load and effectively carrying it during transportation and readily depositing it under the accurate control of the operator. More particularly our 1n: vention provides a truck equipped with l iexible raising member extending over a' suitable boom hinged at its lower end to the truck frame, the flexible member first raising the load ,along the face of the boom and then tipping the boom over the truck body e to suitably support the load for transportation. A suitable spring mechanism supports the tipped boom and automatically returns it to load-discharging position when the relaxing of the fiexible raising member allows such movement. Our invention may be embodied in 'a truck adapted for grasping and raising ammunition shells and transporting them and thereafter depositmg them, and the characteristics of the invention especially adapted for this use are also included within the protection herein claimed. v l

The above features, and others contributing to the efficiency of the machine, are

hereinafter more fully explained in connection with an approved embodiment shown in the drawings.

In the drawings, Figure '1 isa side elevation of the truck with the parts in position where it is just engaging the load, in this case a shell lying horizontally; Fig. 2 isa similar view showing the 'parts in position for transporting the shell; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the truck on an enlarged scale; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan at the top of the boom; Fig. 5 is a detail of a clamp adapted for embracing a shell and securing 1t tothe raising mechanism; Fig. 6 is a detall 1n horizontal section illustrating a winding mechanism which may be employed; Fig. 7 1s a side elevation of the winding mechanism shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8` is a cross section of the same at right angles to Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the spring holding device acting on the rod which operates the electric switch.

As shown in Fi s. 1 and 2 10 indicates the frame or bodyD o the traclrwhich is supported by rear wheels 11 and forward wheels 1 2. .These forward wheels are on opposite sides of a front housing 13 composed of upright and'transverse members secured to the frame member 10. This housing may carry a A,Suitable motor, not shown, for rotating the front wheels and these wheels may be steered by any mechanism, not shown. On the upper part of the front housing is a space 15 suitable for a storage battery for driving the truck, and this same battery may be availed of for operating the cable winding mechanism hereinafter described.

The construction of the frame, wheels, housing, etc., above mentioned, does not enter into the present invention. Thev may,

if desired, be formed according to Patent No. 1,260,145 granted Marchy 19, 1918, to The Elwell-Parker Electric Company, as assignee of Clyde E. Cochran., x v

In the present invention, we hinge to. th

rear end of the truck frame 10 a boom 20.

This is composed of suitable approximately upright members shown as outwardly facing channel beams and suitable cross braces. Between the channel beams, and rigidly secured to them at their lower ends, is a casting 21 which is pivoted at 22 on a horizontal pivot to the truck frame. The upper endspf the channel beams 20 are curved 24 braced by a cross channel 25 secured in place by sultable angle clips 26` and rivets 29 are adapted to form seats for the shelll or other load, as hereinafter explained.

'95 'rearwardly to make a projecting portion i wardly.

We ind a. very convenient anchorage for the two cable members may be effected by making them really one cable and extending the intermediate portion through and across the top of a horizontal plate 48 secured to the boom. `This also provides ready means for adjusting the two cable members so that they shall be of the same length and each carry its half of `the load. We prefer to clamp the adjusted cable by suitable clips 49 secured to the plate 48, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. v

On each side of the yboom we provide a suitable elastic connection with a portion of the truck frame in front of the pivot 22. As shown we secure to each of the channel beams, within their grooves, pads 30 to which are pivoted the upper ends of tubular sockets 31. Extending from these socket members coaxiall therewith are rods 32. These rods exten loosely through tubular heads on partially tubular members 33 pivoted at 34 to part ofthe frame alongside of beams 10. On the lower ends of the rods 32 are nuts 35 limiting the outward movement of the rods, while surrounding the rods and bearing against the ends of the members 33 and extending into the bore of the members 32 and seating against the far end of such bore are compression springs 37.

The construction described provides ltwo lateral tie members for the boom adapted to limit its outward swing to substantially the vertical position shown in Fig. 1. The springs provide an elastic cushion for the boom when it is drawn by the cables over the truck frame, the sprmgs compressing and allowing the socket member 31 to approach the slotted member 33 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The engagement of the two members 31 and 33 would form aA positive stop limiting the inward swing of the boom, but

ordinarily the boom would not bey pulled` that far over. In anyY case, when the cables are released, the springs reacting raise the boom into the uprlght position suitable for v discharging the load. j

In the shell-raising truck shown, each of the movable pulleys 45 is provided with a. dependin extension arm 50 which at its lower en has a key hole slot 51. The slots are adaptedpto engage headed pins 52 on diametrically opposite sides of a two part circular clamp provided by vthe Vmembers 54 and 55, hinged to each other at 56 and drawn together at the diametrically opposite point by a bolt 57 pivoted to the member 55 and extending throu h an eye in the member 54 and provide witli a nut 58. This construction is shown particularly in Fig. 5. The enlarged portion of the key hole slots 51 enables these slots to be passed over the heads of the pins 52 and then when the bars are drawn up the smaller portionsof the slots embrace the in Shanks behind these heads, as shown in igs. 1 and 2. The bars may readily engage with clamps of different' sizes for shells of different diameters.

Fig. 1 indicates at A an ammunition shell l ing horizontally on a suitable support B.

he clamp is secured by hand about this shell between/the supports and the depending raisin'gvbars 50 are put in place over the pins 52. ow if the winding drum is operated to draw up the cables 43 the shell is raised into the position shown in F ig. N2 where4 it lies against the pads 29 and 28. The strength of the springs 37 is suliicient to hold 'the boom upright' during the raising of the shell, but after theshell has come into vertical position against the rear face of the boom the movable pulleys abut suitable stops carried by the top part of the boom, and then the continued pull on the cables 43 swings the boom forwardly into 'substantially the position shown in Fig. 2, the shell 'retainingV its position on the pads of the boom and the springs being compressed.

The stops for limiting the upward movement of thefpulleys 45 may, if desired, be adjustable to provide for the handling of loads of materially different length, and such is the construction shown -in the drawing. Thus, in Figs. 1 and 2, suitable cross bars 95 carry internally threaded blocks 96 through which extend screws 97 adapted to be engaged by lateral flanges 98 at the upper edges of the .frames of the movable pulleys 45.

It will be seen that with the mechanism described lthe truck may be ibacked into a position adjacent the shell, the clamp attached, the raising fbars secured to the clamp and the shell at once drawn into approximately upright position and the boom tipped over the truck frame and yieldingly supported, so that everything is in condition for ready transportation. desired new location is reached, the shell is deposited simply by the paying out of the cables 43. The first result of this paying out movement is for the springs to raise the boom to upright position and then the 'continued cable movement lowers the shell. It is usually desired to deposit the shells on end, and the resent mechanism readil accompllshes this. After depositing, a s ight When the L further lowering of the cables enables the bars to be freed from the clamp, and it is then removed from the shell.

Any suitable Winding mechanism may be provided forpulling in or paying out the cable 43. We' find it very convenient to use an electric winch for this purpose which provides a winding drum, a motor geared to it, and suitable'mchanism making thedevice self locking whenever the motor rotation stops but enabling the winding in at will and also the paying out of the cable whenever desired by rotating the drum in the unwinding direction faster than gravity tends to rotate it.

A convenient form of Windin mechanism as above outlined is illustrate in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, where the winding drum 47 is on a shaft 60 which carries a spur gear 61 meshing with a pinion 62 on a shaft 68. A spur gear 64 on this shaft meshes with a pinion 65 on a sleeve 66 which is loose on the shaft 60. Surrounding the sleeve 66 is a spur Gear 67 which is connected with the sleeve by means allowing independent movement for onlya fraction of a rotation. This gear v67 meshes with a pinion 68 (Figs. 1 and 2) on an extensionA of the armature shaftof a motor 70. l

Between the gear 67 and the pinion 65 is a friction Ibrake effective whenever the raising rotation sto This consists as shown, of a disk 72 rigid with the sleeve 66, an annular friction member 74 alongside of the disk and held stationary by engagement with the casting 79 of the winding mechanism and an annular, clamping member 75 on the other side of the friction member 74 and loosely splined on the sleeve and having on its outer side a face cam 76. This cam is adapted to be abutted by a complementary cam 69 which is rigid on the sleeve 66 and has a portion standing within the spur` gear 67. The gear 67 has notches 67a, Fig. 8, which are occupied by lugs 7 8 on the cam member 69 to allow some freedom of movement between the gear and cam member. After this freedom yis taken up in the raising rotation of the gear the gear drives the cam member 69, and this by reason of the direction of the inclines, frees the brake members 75 from braking friction and positively carries it around by reason of the engagement of the shoulders on the two cams.

It will be Seen therefore that in the raising direction the mechanism provides vfirst for relieving the brake and then for furnishing a direct train of spur gearing between the armature and the raising drum. When the raisinor rotation ceases the tendency of the loada is to rotate 4the train of gears in the opposite direction, and as the gear 67 moves in this 'backward direction the brake member 75 lags behind it so that the brake becomes applied, by reason of the ulined action of the cams, and the load is To lower the load, the armature is simply driven in the 'reverse direction from the raising movement. This turns the ear 67 backwardly faster than the load wou d turn it, and in this movement webs 67b on this gear engage lugs 77 on the cam member 7 5 and carry it around so that the brake is not applied. The engagement ofthe webs 67b with the lugs 77 takes place before the other ends of the notches 6 7a engage the lugs 78. Whenever this lowering rotation of the armature stps the tendency of the load 'to pull the train of gearing applies the brake, as already described. v1

It 'will `be realized from the above description that the device illustrated is self-locking whenever the motor rotation ceases, whether it has been raising or lowering the load. It is to ibe understood, however', that the winding mechanism so illustrated and described is simply set out by Way of illustration, as any self-locking winding mechanism maybe used. The particular winding mecha-nism shown is on the market as a unit' and is believed to be manufactured under Patent No. 1,020,014, granted March 12, 1912, to G. A. Armington, to which refererce may be made for a fuller description o 1t.

lThe winding motor is shown as supported onra bracket or base plate 90 extending frointhe gear housing 79. .All of these parts may be a self-contained unit mounted on a suitable platform 92, .secured to the rear of the forward housing 13 and :supported Iby it and by suitable struts 93v rising from the frame members 10. By Asupporting the winding winch directly behind the and at the same time the ca' les may pass directly from the winch to the topof the boom and obtain a sufficiently direct l pull for readily tipping the latter.

As one of the uses of the present truck is for handling ammunition shells it is desirable to provide automatic mechanism to stop the inward sw'rn of the boom at a definite point when t e proper spring cushion is attained. "It isfdesirable also to have mechanism under the` constant controll of the operator for lowering the shell, so that it may be deposited gently from the truck. We provide a simple mechanism for effecting these results, which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, and will now be described. 80 indicates a suitable double-pole-double vthrow knife switch adapted to direct the lowering. This switch is operated by a push-and-pull rod 81 which is connected with a bell crank 82, the other arm of which is connected to a rod 83 which carries an operating handle 84. The rod 83 slides loosely through a stationary yoke-frame 85 in which is a compression spring 86. A washer 87 carried by the rod engages the upper end of this spring, and on its outer face bears against an enlargement 83 (Fig. 9) on the rod, so that the handle 84 can only be pushed in against the spring pressure and the spring tends to restore the handle to the yneutral position. The handle, however, can

be pulled out freely, the washer 87 abutting the yoke 85, the spring being retained by lthat yoke. v

The knife switch is swung into the raising position by an outward pull on the handle 84 which causes a downward ull on the rod 81. This same movement s oves rearwardly a push rod 88 connected with a short arm 89 depending from the bell crank. Accordingly to start the raising operation the operator simply pulls out the handle 84 and` lets the machine stand. The switch parts then have the position shown in Fig. 1. The motor now operates and winds up the cable 43, pulling up the shell and swinging forwardly the boom with the shell thereon.

As the boom is coming into its final position as shown in Fig. 2 the base-casting 21 thereof abuts the rod 88 and pushes it forwardly raising the rod 81 and swinging the switch to neutral position. This opens the current to the motor and the self-locking mechanism retains the load in such position.

To lower the load, the operator pushes in on the handle 84 and holds'manually against the force of the spring 86. In this movement the rod 81 swings the knife switch 80 into its upper enga ement to direct current in the reversing direction to the motor, which thus allows the cable to pay out, the load bein lowered as'long as the handle is held in. enever the operator relieves the force on the handle the spring 86 restores the handle to neutral osition, which `swings the switch open and) stops the motor, and the self-locking mechanism holds the load.v

manual pressure until the' desired lowering l is accomplished.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. The combination, with a truck, of a boom pivotally connected therewith, a flexible member for raising the load from a substantially horizontal position toward the boom, and for thereafter tipping the boom inwardly to cause the load to rest against its outer face.

2. The combination, with a truck, of a boom pivotally connected therewith adjacent to the rear end of the truck, said boom being substantially vertical in load-receiving position and having a rearwardly projecting upper end, a flexible member depending along the rear face of the boom from said 'rearwardly projecting end for raising the load and for tipping the boom forwardly beyond the vertical plane through its pivot and with the load engaging its rear face.

3. The combination of a truck, a rigid boom pivoted thereto, windin mechanism carried by the truck, a cable eading from the winding mechanism-over a pulley on the boom, and means on the outer face of the boom for providing a seat for a load, the

cable being adapted to raise the load into.'

vproviding a seat for a load, the cable being adapted to raise the load into said seat and thereafter by continued winding tip the boom.

5. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, winding mechanism carried by the truck, a flexible member leading from the winding mechanism over a pulley on the boom, and means for supporting the boom in inclined position :when it is drawn by the winding mechanism inwardly of the vertical plane through the pivot of the boom.

6. The combination of a. truck, a boom pivoted thereto, means for raising a` load alongside of the boom and swinging the boom inwardly with the load resting against, it, and meansA for cushioning the inward movement of the boom.

7. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, mea-ns for raising a load alongsidefof the boom and swinging the boom inwardly with the load resting against it, and means tending to restore the inwardly tipped boom to raising position.

8. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto` means for raising a load alongside of the boom and swinging the .f boom inwardly, and a spring device for cushioning the inward movement of the' boom ,and tendingl to restore it to raising position. 9. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, winding mechanism carried' by the truck, a cable leading from the windcally restore the boom to raising position when the winding means slackens on the flexible raising member. 11. The combination vof a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, winding mechanism carried by the truck, a flexible raising member leading from the Winding mechanism over a pulley on the boom and adapted to raise the load alongside 'the boom and then swing the boom inwardly, and a spring adapted to cushion the inward movement of the boom and to automatically restore the boom to raising position when the winding means slackens on the fiexible raising member.l

12. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, winding mechanism carried by the truck, a cable leading from the winding mechanism over a pulley on the boom, means onthe rear face of the boom for providing a` seat for a load, the cable being adapted to raise the load and thereafter by continued'winding tip the boom to cause the load to rest on said seat, and a pair of springs carried at the opposite sides of the truck and resisting the inward movement of the boom and tending to restore it to raising position.

13. The combination of an automobile truck, a boom pivoted at its lower end to the truck, winding mechanism carried by the truck, a cable leading from the winding mechanism over a pulley onthe boom, and adapted to raise the load and thereafter by continued winding tip the boom, and a pair of compression springs carried at the opposite sides of the truckand restricting the inward movement of the boom.

14. The combination of a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, winding mechanism carried by the truck, a cable leading4 from the winding mechanism over a pulley on the boom, means on the rear face of the boom for providing a seat for a load, the cable being adapted to raise the load and thereafter by continued winding tip the boom, a connecting device betweenintermediate portions of the boom and the truck comprlsing relatively sliding members for limiting the outward movement of the boom, and springs for resisting the inward movement.

15. The combination-of a truck, a boom Ipivoted thereto, windingmechanism onf the truck, a flexible member passing from the wlndmg mechanism over a pulley at the top of the boom and adapted to raise a load alongside the outer face of the boom, a controlhng device for the .boom comprising members pivoted to the Vboom and to the truck frame, there being a` rod on one of said members slidingthrough the other and provided with a head limiting the outward movement, and acompression spring sur-` rounding the rod and limiting the inward movement.

16.A The combination ofv a truck, a boom pivoted to the rear end thereof, winding mechanism on the truck, a flexible member passing from the winding mechanism over 'a pulley at the top.v of the'boom and adapted to raise a load alongside of the rear face of the boom, a pair of controlling devices for the boom pivoted to the boom and to the sides of the ltruck frame, each controlling devlce having means for limiting the rearward'movementof the boom and means for cushioning the forward movement thereof.

17. The combination of a truck having a frame and supporting wheels, a' boom plvoted to the rear end of the truck frame and havlng seats for the load on its rear face, the upper end of the boom overhanglng toward the rear, a pulley carried by such .upper end, winding mechanism carried by the truck frame, a flexible raising member extendlng from the winding mechanism over Vsaid pulley,jmeans carried by the flexible raising mechanism for engaging the load, and a spring reslsting the forward tipping of the boom. f 18. The combination of a truck frame and wheels, a. boom pivoted to the rear end of the frame and having a pair of side members spacedapart, two flexible cables extending over two pulleys at the top of the boom, means carried by `saidflexible members adapted to'connect with opposite sides of a load, seats carried vby the boom on its rear .face against. which the load may rest, winding mechanlsm carried by the truck frame for pulling in the cables and thereby tipplng the boom, and springs adapted to form a cushlon stop for the boom when tipped.

19 The combination of a truck, a boom carrled thereby, a pair of 'pulleys carried by the boom, a pair of flexible raising members extending over the pulleys, two bars con' the pulleys and depending in bights, movable pulleys in said bights, bars depending y :from the movable pulleys, a clamp for the load having a disengageable connection with said bars, and Winding mechanism for pulling both flexible raising members.

21. The combination of a truck, a boom )ivotallyv connected thereto, means including winding mechanism adapted to raise a load alongside of the boom and thereafter tip the boom with the load resting against it, vautomatic means for stopping the raising movement of?v the windln mechanism, and manual means for controlllng the lowering movement and stopping it whenever desired.

22. The combination of a truck, a boom pivotally connected thereto, a flexible member extending over a pulle at the upper end of the boom and adapte to raise a load against the boom and thereafter to tip they boom, self-locking wlnding mechanism for the flexible member, automatic means for stopping the raising movement of the winding medhanism, and manual means for controlling the lowering movement and stopping it whenever desired.

2,3.. The combination of a truck having a frame 'and y supporting wheels, a boom pivoted to the frame, a pulley carried by the boom, winding mechanism carried by the truck frame, a flexible raising member extending from the Winding mechanism over said pulley, means carried by the flexible raising mechanism for engagin the load, and manual meansfor controlling the operation of the Winding mechanism to lower the load, said means requiring for its operation a continuously applied manual force.

24. The combination of a truck having a frame and supporting wheels, a boom `pivoted to the rear end ,of the truck frame and having seats for the load on its rear face, the upper end of the boom overhanging toward the rear, a pulley carried by such upper end, winding mechanism carried by the truck frame, a flexible raising member extendin from the winding mechanism over sai pulley, means carried by the flexible raising mechanism for engaging the load, automatic means for stoppmg the winding mechanism when the load has been raised and tipped into a definite position, and manual means for reversing the operation of the winding mechanism to lower the load, said means requiring for its operation a continuous manual force.

25. The combination, with a truck, of a boom substantially vertical in its load-receiving position pivoted thereto, and means for ralsing a load relative to the boom and thereafter tipping the boom inwardly to cause the load to rest against its outer face.

26. In a truck, a boom pivoted thereto, a

seat for a load at the lower end of the boom;

and means for raising the load relative to the boom and thereafter tipping the boom in the direction of movement of the load.

Signed at Cleveland, Ohio, this 21st day of February, 1919, by CLYDE E. COCHRAN. and at Stuart, Florida, March 3rd 1919 by MORRIS S. TowsoN.

' CLYDE E. COCHRAN. MORRIS S. TOWSON. 

